- 6/2/2025
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00:00Welcome back to Munich we're building up to the Champions League final the stadium is just
00:07spectacular I have to say the atmosphere is incredible here we cannot wait to see these
00:11two teams in action Owen Hargreaves has joined us from the platform I wanted to talk about the
00:15managers a little bit Owen because they're not spoken about in the same regard necessarily as
00:19the likes of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti should they be I think they should yeah I think
00:24Luis Enrique I mean it's most important position in any football club obviously the Inter boys are coming out but I think Luis Enrique has done an incredible job you know in terms I think his humility you know I think being an ex player Stevie he understands and he has a closeness to the boys but I think his style of play is fantastic and he's I think he's one of the best without question yeah I totally agree with that but I think if you if you want to be in the same breath as your Ancelotti is the Mourinho's and the Pep Guardiola's you've probably got to do it more than once
00:54you know he's done it in 2014-15 this is the stage tonight for Enrique to go and back that up do it do it for the second time and then you can start talking about him in the same breath as their managers
01:04what do you think Rio yeah well I think they're very different managers which is great for a spectacle tonight but Luis Enrique is one of the treble at Barcelona if he does it here then he becomes immortal only Pep Guardiola has done that so he will be standing alongside the greats of the game but I think people I think Inzaghi people sleep on him a little bit what he's achieved
01:23at Inter he's been this is his third final with less money as well maybe with less budget yeah exactly and what he's done as well he hasn't followed suit with a bit like a lot of managers who find a trend formation wise he's gone out of his own a very completely different way of playing football and approach but equally becoming successful tactically he's brilliant in Zaghi and I think one of my favourite things from this competition has been the centre-backs go into midfield and then midfields come and get it off the keeper I mean imagine you
01:53he could have done that back in the day no I think he's gone his own way I said to Rio I think with Italian teams they're so well drilled that you know the manager has so much respect these players do exactly what the manager wants and you can see that even Rio mentioned it before the night before the game they're still drilling the same rotations the same movement so it's just like riding about it and they know exactly what the manager wants.
02:16It's going to be a huge moment for the players and the managers as well but a particularly emotional moment for Luis Enrique he spoke about a very significant photo back the last time that he won the Champions League back in 2015 with his daughter Sana you can see there he celebrated it that was the game against Juventus she came on the pitch with him and then put there you go the flag in the ground and she was just nine years old when she died four years after this photo this is what he said about her this is an incredible memory
02:46I want to be able to do the same with a Paris Saint-Germain flag my daughter won't be there in the physical sense but she will be there spiritually and that is very important to me I think he's just a phenomenal man as well as a phenomenal manager the way that he speaks about her and is able to speak about her like that Rio it's very touching.
03:05Yeah well I think listen dealing with loss hits many people in different ways and the way people respond to it can be very different he's got he seems a very positive mindset and the way he approaches this and he's very much celebrating his young daughter and it's wonderful to see that that's the inspiration for him but that picture there is an emotional moment I'm sure every moment in phase that he goes through as a manager in these big moments she'll be at the forefront of his mind and it's wonderful to see that.
03:31Absolutely well said Rio we move on and we speak about the keepers because it's not often that you that you focus so much on the keepers but so far in the Champions League the two keepers from both sides have just been absolutely phenomenal I wanted to get your thoughts on them we'll talk about summer first of all and perhaps not so worldwide in terms of the way that Donnarumma is but he's just been incredible hasn't he Stephen?
03:54Yeah I mean he's a giant of a man I think it always helps with a goalkeeper if you've got that profile and that frame he come into the AC Milan team with huge experience I mean some of these saves he's making unreal summer pound for pound you know you're talking five six million pound for pound he's being the best keeper in the competition or in the world for example so both teams wouldn't be here tonight without the you know the contribution of both.
04:17And it's difficult for anyone really to defend against Lamine Yamaha but that fingertip save especially is it was such a huge moment for them.
04:23He probably had the game of his life literally saved everything that came to him and to be fair he's a brilliant goalkeeper he's amazing with his feet he really is so both keepers but I think Donnarumma as well he's made some incredible saves in this competition we've been fortunate to play in these games and win them you don't win them without a world-class keeper and I think these two have been fabulous.
04:40You said that Rio one thing that you said is that you can't win games like this in the Champions League without a very special keeper Donnarumma has just pulled out of the bag time and time again.
04:49Yeah he makes the best goalkeepers they go quiet and unnoticed for large periods but then the one moment will pop up and it's about concentration yes it's about talent and ability and anticipation but that concentration is vital with these moments and there's no there's no better feeling when you turn around and see your goalkeeper and you get the supreme confidence in what they're going to deliver at the biggest stage.
05:08Well I wouldn't have a winner's medal without my goalkeeper Jersey Dudek if you think about that that save he made in extra time you need your keeper to be big at the key moments even if they're not called upon you need them at so important moments or you're not going to be a winner at the end of the night.
05:21We might be talking about one of them as player as a tournament perhaps Donnarumma.
05:24Yeah I mean he's up there there's so many though isn't there I mean obviously Cambella's been amazing I mean we were fortunate we had Edmund van der Tau the same you can look back and you just trusted him you can rely on him but again I think these keepers could decide the game easily tonight.
05:36Okay guys right well Inter fans are going to be hoping that they taste a little bit of glory tonight the fans are out in style here in Munich 15 years after last tasting Champions League success they are hoping that Nzaghi can follow in the footsteps of one Jose Mourinho.
05:50Well James we're here obviously because Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich talk to me a little bit about Inter Milan and all the iconic players that they've had at this football club but also the history in Europe in elite competition.
06:12The 1960s you know was the kind of first great era in Italian club football Inter under Hellenio Herrera he comes in and ushers in this era of you know complete dominance you know they won the European couple a couple of times.
06:27If we were to get in there now there's a banner which still says Jose Mourinho went into place because because Jose did what no one had ever done and still no one has been able to match in Italian football which is win a treble.
06:43Yeah the shirt is is I think it's one of the most iconic you know the kind of the black and blue but also you know playing for this club is very special and I don't think that they have the stars of the past.
06:55No but the team is as is almost the star.
06:58Sicuramente che per noi questi ultimi anni sono stati importantissimi ci deve dare forza ci deve dare consapevolezza di che squadra siamo, di che gruppo siamo e tutto rispetto che ci siamo guadagnati in questi ultimi anni in questa competizione quindi.
07:18I think they're the best team not hanging in there when it's hard yeah and I think that's the only the only way you know football teams you know when it's when you're winning and when it's easy you know you're dominating it's easy yeah when it's hard like it was against Bayern and Barcelona you've got to hang in there somehow.
07:33Ha giocato alla grandissima viso aperto contro una squadra fortissima come il Barcellona e penso che questa finale sia meritata dopo la partita io onestamente ho pianto.
07:48perché abbiamo dentro talmente tante emozioni che come ho detto non non riescevo ad esprimere.
07:58They lost the final two years ago and you wonder how much that experience the disappointment of two years ago will play into that added determination to actually do it this time.
08:09which is something that PSG can't call it's very young PSG team recently put together and of course it means it'll mean everything to PSG to win that competition but will it mean more to Inter?
08:21Sappiamo il nostro percorso qual è stato in questi in questi anni ma la percezione l'importante è la nostra percezione della mia squadra della mia società dei nostri tifosi faremo la nostra finale in migliore dei modi con tantissima fiducia perché vogliamo vogliamo cercare di vincere la partita sabato.
08:41e l'ultima lei ovviamente si è alzato la coppa cosa significerebbe per l'Inter?
08:49Per l'Inter significerebbe scrivere una delle fagine più importanti della storia perché sollevare questo trofeo vuol dire entrare in la storia vera di un club e credo che questi ragazzi questo gruppo ha questa opportunità.
09:03I think in terms of the standard of football you know generations of Inter fans do believe this is the best standard they've ever seen it's important to the standing of Italian football in the world the standing of Serie A for an Italian team to win the Champions League again.
09:19It just feels like Inter they're like the masters of the big moments you know that add up in a game yeah and so I just think it feels like they couldn't be in a better place to go and finally list this trophy again since 2010.
09:36Well it's a brilliant look James at Inter and what it would mean for them to win the Champions League final tonight.
09:43Do you think this really is this Inter team's final chance to do it?
09:49I think this group of players I mean everyone talks about the average age how they were the oldest team in the knockout stages and people look at how young this PSG side is and they expect them to run and run and run and can Inter cope.
10:02I'd remind everyone that when Inter last played here in the quarter finals against Bayern they scored a late winner.
10:09How did they get to the final? Late goals you know be it a chair to be taking the game to stop each time against Barcelona be it for Taysi winning it.
10:17So what I love about this Inter team is they say you know tactics in these games don't don't really matter it's hard you know wage bills don't go on the pitch players do so let's see what they do tonight.
10:31And when you mention the ages of these players it does feel like with some of them they're at their peak but could they be close to surpassing their peak?
10:40I think so and I think one of the lovely things about this Inter team is they say if we go player by player on the team sheet we recognize that there are better individuals on PSG's team on Barca's team for the totality of that 11.
10:57It's greater than some of its parts and they are rightfully here for a second Champions League final three years.
11:02And there's experience of course from the 2023 final which they lost against Manchester City 12 of the matchday squad from then are still in the squad today.
11:12So what will they have learned from that experience?
11:15That they've got unfinished business that they feel that they went very close and I think that it clicked in their heads that night that we're not that far away from beating a historic Man City team that obviously won the treble.
11:27And two years ago a lot of people said Inter were on the right side of the draw.
11:32They played Porto, Benfica and they played AC Milan in the semi-finals.
11:36This time around no one can begrudge them or diminish them for the way that they've got here because they've knocked out Bayern, they've knocked out Barcelona and now they want to beat PSG and win that trophy for the first time in 15 years.
11:50They've had an incredible journey to get to the final and do you know what Reshman and Karen have got an incredible view of the players warming up on the pitch behind us and I know Karen's feeling quite proud of herself because she picked Inter to go all the way right from match day one.
12:05She absolutely did. It's really interesting there talking, hearing James talking about how no one can begrudge this Inter side for who they've beaten to get to this point.
12:13But Jules is right, you did say. We're going to find out actually if Karen is in fact Mystic Meg by the end of this, if they do win.
12:19But what made you choose them right on day one?
12:22I think it was just balance. Balance of the team, you know, they've been to that final in 23.
12:26Like Jules and James just said, 7 out of the 11 start tonight.
12:29Two world-class centre forwards, wide players who are wing-backed but are just so aggressive.
12:34And defensively they've already had eight clean sheets in this competition so far.
12:38So collectively the balance is what I looked at.
12:40And when they started the competition, that was why I went with them.
12:43Yeah, absolutely.
12:44Well, look, these are two sides who have very contrasting styles,
12:48but they've shown that game management is a really sort of big aspect of what they do
12:53and how they've managed to get to this point.
12:55Out of the two sides, would you say that perhaps, I mean, look, PSG are about to come out
12:59and they've really wowed everyone this season as well with all their big performances.
13:03But in terms of adaptability at those crucial moments,
13:06would you say that Inter are the side who are better equipped?
13:09Well, that was another reason because Steven mentioned it earlier.
13:12They can play different ways.
13:13And we've got some clips here now to show it after we've welcomed the opponents onto the pitch.
13:17I'm about to turn my light back up.
13:19There they are.
13:20Look at that scenes.
13:22This is what you play for these moments definitely in the fans as well.
13:26But look, going back to, I hate to take it back to Inter Milan,
13:29but I think they can play all different ways.
13:32And here's the analysis now.
13:33We're playing out in possession.
13:35Look, Acerbi there goes into centre midfield.
13:37That's your centre back.
13:38Causes overloads.
13:39And now straight away, they go from a five to a four.
13:42Bastoni is your left centre back.
13:43And he's thinking, absolutely not.
13:45He's dynamic.
13:46He's powerful.
13:47This team is fluid, adaptable and dynamic.
13:50Can you think about the defensive side?
13:51Eight clean sheets.
13:52But look at the bodies getting forward there.
13:54Mkhitaryan just centre midfielder and the two centre forwards you can aim.
13:57And look at that manager.
13:59James mentioned it.
14:00The energy is because it's from that manager.
14:02He's playing with them.
14:03They talk about width.
14:05I think it's really interesting tonight because the wide areas,
14:07whoever has to battle there, I think will win the game.
14:09You see that maximum width from them.
14:11Keep possession.
14:12Why?
14:13Because they want to find the spare player.
14:14And it's Bastoni.
14:15I absolutely love this guy.
14:17Defenders usually...
14:18I will disagree.
14:19It might be boring, but this guy isn't.
14:20But you can link it into the centre forward.
14:22And that's the cue.
14:23Once you have comfortable possession from the centre forward,
14:25all your defenders can get forward.
14:27Look at the numbers that they get into the box.
14:29You know, the only criticism I'd have is,
14:31got to score in those moments.
14:33But Steve had mentioned it.
14:34You know, they struggled against Barcelona.
14:36They couldn't play out.
14:37The press was too aggressive.
14:38When you've got a centre forward, you can do this.
14:40Bang.
14:41Direct.
14:42Pin it.
14:43Hold it.
14:44And now you're going there.
14:45There's the cue.
14:46You can then see Dumfries getting forward.
14:47And look, it didn't come to nothing.
14:49But this is why this team can play through you.
14:51They can play around you.
14:52And they can go direct.
14:54When they've got that manager there, he'll be thinking,
14:56I learnt my lesson from last time and I want to win it tonight.
14:59Yeah, absolutely.
15:00As you say, adaptability as a team.
15:01But versatility amongst the individual players as well.
15:04Yeah, but James mentioned they're all versatile.
15:06And we saw it in those clips.
15:07But collectively, they've got to defend.
15:09And they can go back into that shape when they have to.
15:11Because PSG have some incredible individual talent tonight.
15:14Absolutely.
15:15Look, we've got just over half an hour until kick-off.
15:18It is really ramping up in here.
15:20I can't hear myself think, but that's kind of the way you want it
15:22on the Champions League final, isn't it, Laura?
15:24It certainly is, Rashmin.
15:26OK, guys, both teams out on the pitch now getting themselves ready,
15:29warming up for the Champions League final.
15:32Stay with us because coming up next, we're going to be looking at
15:34some of the players that might decide this game.
15:37We'll be back in a few moments.
15:51The Allianz Arena looking absolutely splendid tonight.
15:53A boiling hot day in Germany.
15:55And pretty much as we look around, it is almost at complete full capacity.
15:59We can't wait to see this.
16:01We've got two teams we spoke about contrasting styles.
16:04There's a lot also been mentioned about their age.
16:06It's the biggest age gap between two teams in Champions League history.
16:09It's a little bit like you three and me, isn't it?
16:12Look, I can't wait to see how they line up against each other.
16:14We've got so many interesting battles.
16:16And earlier on, we talked about the full-backs
16:18and just how special they might be.
16:20Rio, for PSG, Mendes, Hakimi, they are just such exceptional players
16:24in their own right, but together they're so good.
16:26Yeah, I think they have the best two in the world.
16:28These two, they're the top of their game.
16:29Mendes, I think, has grown into the best left-back in the world currently.
16:32And Hakimi, I think he's at the top of the tree on the right-hand side as well.
16:35So, but they've got to perform.
16:37These are the games where you get judged.
16:38They've shown that form throughout and been consistent.
16:41But again, unfortunately, you do get judged in these moments
16:44and they've got to continue the form they've come into this game with.
16:46And they can be decisive players with the ball, but also equally without it.
16:50I think it'll be interesting to see how aggressive they are in possession tonight.
16:54Because one mistake, one turnover.
16:56They're going to leave both centre-backs 2v2.
16:58So they might be a little bit more casey, a little bit more cautious tonight.
17:01I mean, you think about Dumfries, they've got two brilliant games against Barcelona.
17:05But you think about Hakimi, he's got three goals, five assists.
17:08They're like number 10 numbers in this competition.
17:11And Mendes got four goals as a left-back.
17:14You know, they are really special players from both positions.
17:17It is quite ridiculous when you look at their numbers.
17:19Are we saying as well amongst the best counter-attacking full-backs in the world right now?
17:24Well, I just think they have that pace that can slice through teams and they can come from deep areas.
17:28And when they get, I think Hakimi especially, once he gets inverted as well,
17:32he's equally comfortable taking the ball in there.
17:34But he goes 100 mile an hour for the full 90 minutes.
17:37And that energy, again, is a great service to the team.
17:41You can rely on that throughout the whole 90 minutes.
17:43But again, they've got to do well defensively, yes, and take care of that side of the pitch.
17:47But also, I don't think these guys will be shy in getting up and helping their wingers from behind.
17:52That front three for PSG, the preferred front three that we're looking at, Kabat Scalier, Dembele, Due.
17:57Specifically for Kabat Scalier, he's settled in very well since he has arrived, hasn't he?
18:02Yeah, top player, obviously very successful at Napoli.
18:05A player that can go both ways, very direct, great in 1v1 positions.
18:09And the key for me with wingers is knowing when to dribble, when to pass, when to shoot, when to save your forwards.
18:16This kid's got it all. He's got the world at his feet and already, you know, in such a short space of time,
18:21he's shown that he's one of the best players in the world.
18:24You've interviewed him recently. What was he like?
18:26Yeah, he was wonderful to interview. One, his English was good, so we didn't have a problem there.
18:30But I think it was great to see a player win. He's got so much talent, as Steve, you just said.
18:34And we've all witnessed his enjoyment factor now in buying into the mindset and the new philosophy of this Paris Saint-Germain team,
18:42which is underpinned by work, and he's key to that.
18:45I know, and Dembele has been repurposed and moving forward or moving more centrally.
18:50How much has he been adapted to that role and impressed in that role?
18:53You know what? It's a masterstroke from Luis Enrique.
18:55To think a guy that is a brilliant player, but he was never a great finisher.
18:58And then to go put him in the position where you finish the most as a striker seems odd.
19:03But actually, it's been a masterstroke. It works. He's an incredible finisher now, brilliant in front of goal.
19:08Talent-wise, he had Ballon d'Or talent his whole career.
19:11But this season, he's put it all together. And with Claude Tellier and Due as well, they're brilliant.
19:16Just to go back on Dembele, a lot of people ask him why.
19:19One of the things I think is key about him, knocking someone like Dembele, he's two-footed.
19:24And the ability to come inside the pitch and not have to stay wide opens the game up completely, so he can go both ways.
19:29And that's been a masterstroke.
19:31Due, you said, Rio, he's had a breakout season this season. One of the best, do you think?
19:36Yeah, I think this, we're talking about Luminium, I don't think he's level yet.
19:39But this guy has the potential, I think, to be one of the best players in the world for many years to come.
19:43Ridiculous talent, great temperament as we've seen.
19:45But I think, like Stevie said, on the other wing, he works both ways equally, up and back.
19:50He must have the mindset, Rio. I mean, to make a move for €50 million at such a short age,
19:54how many players have we seen that go to the head and they fall away?
19:58This kid looks hungry, he looks the real deal, he looks confident.
20:01And watching him warm up, he looks like he's playing football in the back yard.
20:04I can't wait to watch this kid for the next ten years.
20:07Oh, me too.
20:08So we're going to move on from PSG's front three to Inter's front two.
20:11And one man in particular alongside Darren Fletcher who knows those all too well.
20:15We're going to go up to comms to speak to Darren Fletcher and Ali McCoy.
20:18So you couldn't get much closer if they tried.
20:20No, we couldn't, Laura, you're right.
20:22We've got the camera literally strapped to our foreheads at the moment, Ali, which is never a good look for you and I.
20:27I think the commentary position on Champions League final night resembles the front room on Christmas morning.
20:32We are very unsighted about what we're going to see.
20:34Let's have a conversation about the strikers then and start off with Inter Milan.
20:38It's a front two.
20:39It's Martinez.
20:40It's Turam.
20:41It's old school in many ways, but it works for them.
20:44I like it.
20:45I don't mind telling you it's something different.
20:46The modern way seems to be one through the middle, two wide boys, and I get that.
20:50And a lot of teams have great success with it.
20:52There's something about the two strikers I really like.
20:54I enjoy watching them and they are a little bit of a throwback.
20:57We spoke about Inter playing out the back and they do it really, really well.
21:00However, like a lot of the teams that they don't do nowadays, they're not scared to go long.
21:04And particularly Martinez will hold the ball up.
21:06You fire it into him and an old fashioned number nine.
21:09Nine times out of ten it'll stick.
21:11It's easy to look down the Lautaro-Martinez route, but if you think about the way Turam played in the semi-final,
21:16the first leg in particular against Barcelona, he turned up when it really matters.
21:20The flip side, 33 goals this season for Ousmane Dembele.
21:24The most he got in a single season prior to that was 14 with Barcelona.
21:28But he's different.
21:29He's got freedom.
21:30He goes all over the place.
21:32How do the inter defenders cope with that?
21:34Do you know what he's doing right now, Fletch?
21:36He's enjoying the responsibility of being the top man.
21:39I think you can see it.
21:40It's evident in the way he plays.
21:42And what I expect for him to do tonight, I think he'll pose them a problem.
21:46Because I think he'll drop back.
21:48I think it'll be very, very difficult.
21:50Because Inter Milan, particularly Italian defenders, they love to mark somebody, don't they?
21:54They love to pick somebody up.
21:55They love the job of picking somebody up.
21:58I think he'll make that very, very difficult.
22:00And I think there will be times where they'll play short and they won't have an out-and-out number line.
22:05But they have two wider boys.
22:06That will give them a lot more possession and it could pose into Milan one or two problems.
22:12It's going to be absolutely fascinating, Laura.
22:14One thing we do know, when you look at the five out-and-out front players,
22:18any one of them has the ability, the skill and the temperament to be the match winner for their team tonight.
22:23They certainly do.
22:25We want to talk about Vitinha because in terms of when we focus on different positions in the pitch,
22:29Vitinha is one of the most important, Steven.
22:32Yeah, very important.
22:33And, you know, me and Owen have both played in that position.
22:35We were different styles, you know, more trying to break it up and serve and go simple.
22:40You know, people talk about why didn't Vitinha work at Wolves?
22:43But Wolves are fighting for points at the wrong end of the Premiership.
22:46Different style, maybe not high levels of possession.
22:49Luis Enrique has been a godsend for this player because he very much needs the ball at all given times.
22:54He's very similar to Xabi and Iniesta.
22:56Likes to dictate the tempo of a game.
22:58He'll receive the ball in any situation.
23:01He'll receive it deep.
23:02He'll receive it between the lines.
23:03He's a magician with the ball.
23:05It's another one of those things as well.
23:06I mean, it's rumoured that he didn't quite get along with Messi and Neymar at the time.
23:10So it's another one of those decisions where you look at the players that have left,
23:13that have made room for a player like Vitinha to really excel.
23:17Well, he's probably grown in to be the best midfield player in this competition.
23:21And he doesn't get big numbers, goals and assists.
23:23But I think he controls the tempo as good as anyone.
23:26I think he's...
23:27And again, I think with Neves, who's a better presser of the ball, they're a good combination.
23:30I think in midfield, it's all about partnerships.
23:33And I think they have a brilliant midfield three.
23:35But I think he's the star of that midfield.
23:37And I think you talk about it.
23:38I think it's all about partnerships over the pitch, especially in that middle area.
23:40And you look at even Jao Neves, a young kid, 20 years old, most possessions won, most tackles, most duels won.
23:47Like the kid, that balance there to a controller, to someone who's actually physically can go and make demands and win the ball back.
23:53And the skill of Ruiz.
23:54We haven't mentioned Ruiz.
23:55Right, that's what I mean.
23:56And Ruiz, who's got...
23:57He's a bit of everything, really, I think.
23:59And he's more of a linker further up the pitch.
24:01Presence, style, class.
24:03Yeah.
24:04Can play, can dribble, go pass, great strike from the edge of the box.
24:07Left footers always look better as well.
24:08Do you think there was ever a time in Vitina's career when he was sitting on the bench for Wolves, not getting played, thinking,
24:13one of these days I'll make the Champions League final, I'll be one of the key players of the tournament.
24:16Yeah, but I spoke to him the other day about this.
24:18And he said, when he left Wolves, he said to one of his teammates, I'll be at one of the big clubs soon.
24:25There's no doubt in his mind, he's supremely confident.
24:28And why wouldn't you be with the talent that he has?
24:30You know who he reminds me of? Sorry, Stevie.
24:32Modric.
24:33Modric.
24:34And you couldn't make him any bigger compliment in the world, because he's been probably one of the greatest.
24:37But he plays like Luka Modric, he just chinks in and away from people, impossible to play against.
24:42It's a classic case of being in the wrong movie, and it's not Wolves' fault.
24:45You know, it's just wrong place, wrong time.
24:47You find a place, you find a manager, a system, players around you that suit you and your skill set, and he fits in really well.
24:55Some players go a whole career and almost fade away and lose a career because they don't have the fortune of finding a manager who understands them,
25:02who knows how to get the best out of them, plays a system that suits them as well.
25:05So there's so many factors that enables us players, when we've played them, the players today, to become what we are.
25:10You can't do it all on your own.
25:11You could be a standout player tonight as well, guys. We've got to get to the break because kickoff is coming up very, very soon.
25:17We'll be back at the Champions League final build up in just a few seconds.
25:20Not long now till the Champions League final kicks off. Here are the teams. PSG have the same team that beat Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final.
25:34A front three of Due, Dembele and Cavara Scalier. Vitinha is in midfield there, and Inter, they make one change to the team that beat Barcelona across two legs.
25:44Benjamin Pavard, he comes back in from injury, and Jan Bisak, he's going to be replaced in defence.
25:49Guys, we want to talk a little bit about PSG and their aggressive press and how effective that has been, Rio.
25:55Yeah, it has. I think a lot of teams today, they set up, they want to really set this tool out to put their opposition under pressure.
26:01And Paris Saint-Germain do that. They're a dynamic team. They're a young, hungry team, and they're very much in tune with what their manager wants.
26:08So it's going to be interesting to see how Inter do that, how they're going up against that.
26:11But what I would say, Inter are probably one of the best teams, I think, playing through a press.
26:15They've got some very, very good players, comfortable on the ball, Bastoni being the main one.
26:19But here you see, you've got a press on there, PSG, win the ball high.
26:23That's where you get your goods there, and you can expose teams.
26:26Yeah, really aggressive press and also fantastic at counter press.
26:29And I think that's a big component of Luis Enrique.
26:32There you see Inter Milan going over the press, using the physicality, trying to hold the ball up.
26:37And then they spring and break with the speed and the quality from the side.
26:41So PSG have to be really ready for that if they turn the ball over.
26:44Yeah, I think they'll play a lot of direct balls into the strikers quickly, won't they?
26:47Get click on. That's how they beat Bayern. You know, that's how they beat Barca as well.
26:51And then at the top of the pitch, Turan and Martinez are brilliant finishes as well.
26:55And also delivering early. They've got aerial advantage.
26:57So anytime you get the opposition to cross or even set pieces, you've got to try and use that height, that profile and go right against the two PSG centre backs.
27:05Just to let you know as well, just behind us, they're getting ready for the opening act.
27:08Linkin Park are going to be performing, which is why this massive cover has just come over the top of the pitch and nearly over the top of us as well.
27:15It's not just about what happens in terms of the attacking players, Rio.
27:19There's defence as well to think about today. And who's been the one that stands out for you?
27:23Well, I think Bastoni for the way they interplay is super important.
27:26Not just defensively, but also when they have the ball, the transition into attack.
27:30But I have to think about someone like Acherbi. The journey he's been on is a remarkable journey.
27:35He's battled cancer twice, alcoholism. He's been through the mire and come back to a moment like this, scored in the semi-final.
27:43What a story it'd be for someone like him if they were to get over the line.
27:46And it's possibly the last chance. You look at the age of this team. Certainly for some of them, this could be the last chance.
27:51You feel that too, Owen? Sorry? You feel that too as well.
27:54He makes a great point, Stevie. They might not get another chance. It's quite an experience.
27:57I think this PSG team will be one of the best for the next five or ten years because they're so young.
28:02The best teams in the final as well. And what a final it promises to be.
28:05We're going to get ourselves out of the way because very, very soon, Linkin Park are going to be on the pitch.
28:09And then, of course, they make way for the finale. It's going to be special, isn't it?
28:12All ready to go here in Munich. It's been a brilliant season of football, but it comes to a close now.
28:17Will PSG be crowned continental champions for the first time in their history?
28:21Or will Inter exercise the demons of two years ago and reclaim the trophy they won back in 2010?
28:28Well, kickoff is coming up next.
28:31It's a grand stage for a huge game. The biggest names, the greatest tests. It's where they all strive to be.
28:39What a night we have in store. Absolutely unbelievable.
28:44It's what Champions League dreams are made of.
28:47Oh, it's beautiful. That is sheer quality.
28:51Simply sensational. This massive crowd. Lift the roof up.
28:56That is some goal. Oh, can you believe that? They are living the dream tonight.
29:02There's no way noisier, no way more colourful. Giants of their respective leagues. It is the trophy they all want.
29:16It's just about as good as it gets.
29:19Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan take to the field for the Champions League final, Rio.
29:28This is about managing the occasion. You can't get emotional in these moments. You've got to be cold-blooded.
29:32You've done all the hard work. Tactical stuff's all done. You're ready to go. Your game plan's there.
29:37It's about making sure your first contact's right. Your first action in the game set you on the right zone for the rest of the game.
29:42Steven?
29:43Yeah, follow what the manager wants. Follow the game plan. Stick to it.
29:45Even if you have a bump in the road, it's very important that you believe in what the manager wants.
29:49And hopefully, at the end of the day, it makes you successful.
29:51Owen?
29:52You dream of this as a young kid. To have the opportunity to play the game like this.
29:55Make it a lasting memory. Everybody still comes up to the TV and says about that final.
30:00And you get an opportunity to play in this game. You've got to grab the moment. It creates memory for a lifetime.
30:04Chance to make history for each and every one of these players. This is it.
30:08PSG against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
30:11Now you're in safe hands. Let's get you over to that commentary team of Ali McCoy's and Darren Fletcher.
30:16Thank you, Laura. Good evening, everybody. Well, what a night we've got in store here in this magnificent stadium,
30:21the Allianz in Munich. And I've got to say we have two of the most passionate sets of supporters.
30:26That's what it's all about tonight. Javier Pastore on the left, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain.
30:32And the great Javier Zanetti on the right, bringing out the trophy that these two great clubs will fight for tonight.
30:39Ali, this could be quite a night, couldn't it? It's been quite a season.
30:42Oh, it's been a terrific season. Good evening, everyone. I mean, I cannot tell you how excited I am about this, Mark.
30:48Listen to the boys there, they're all in the same boat as we are. We just want to get things underway.
30:53We can't argue, the two teams that we're going to watch tonight have been excellent in the tournament.
30:57Absolutely excellent, particularly in the lack of stages.
31:00They've given us some fabulous, fabulous entertainment, and I fully expect Fletch to get more tonight.
31:06That's all been set up by the Paris Saint-Germain Ultras.
31:09It's very reminiscent of the Parc des France, that end of the Allianz Arena.
31:14And the crowd eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two sets of players.
31:36What a big night it is for Simone Inzaghi, just making sure that all of his players are OK.
31:51And here comes Paris Saint-Germain.
32:06So the players ready for the 70th staging of this great final for the last 33 years played under the Champions League format.
32:19It's a final time for focus and for contemplation.
32:22It's taken nine months and in PSG's case 16 games to get here.
32:27It's a night that brings pressure and tension even to the best of them.
32:31But the reward is as good as it gets.
32:34Italian clubs have 12 wins, French clubs only won.
32:38Inter have won it three times.
32:40PSG never before.
32:59Smiles mixed with tension.
33:04PSG never before.
33:08PSG never before.
33:10So the players walking past the biggest and most prestigious trophy in club football, one held aloft by all of the great players at some time.
33:18One that Inter wants again and one that PSG hopes can finally be theirs.
33:36So the players are ready for the most iconic anthem in football.
33:44Oh, Sharon, that's the first sc
34:00here.
34:01Back to football.
34:02at.
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